Report: Rams offered 1st and 3rd for Khalil Mack, planned to trade him in 2019

The Los Angeles Rams made more blockbuster trades than anyone this offseason, landing the likes of Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and Brandin Cooks. They also signed Ndamukong Suh and gave Aaron Donald $135 million, but their biggest move of all fell just short of happening.

Kevin Demoff confirmed recently that the Rams tried to trade for Khalil Mack, offering the Raiders a “pretty aggressive package” in discussions. Mack wound up going to the Bears and was made the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, but the Rams had a plan.

According to Adam Schefter, Los Angeles offered the Raiders a first- and third-round pick for Mack, which Oakland denied. The Rams’ idea was to acquire Mack, pay him what he was looking for but then trade him next offseason, knowing they couldn’t afford him beyond 2018.

Rams could have been facing former Raiders Khalil Mack tonight; instead, after they signed Aaron Donald, they offered Oakland 1st- and 3rd-round picks, which Raiders rejected.

Rams would have paid Mack, then traded him after this season because they couldn't afford him in 2019.

“They would offer the first and third, get back Khalil Mack, pay him this year. and then after this year, knowing they could not afford him long-term, trade him and get back some of those draft picks,” Schefter said on Monday Night Countdown. “But they would’ve had him this season to help them make a Super Bowl run. … The Rams really tried to make an effort – they wanted Khalil Mack with Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh on their front line.”

We saw what Mack did for the Bears on Sunday night, but just imagine what he could do if on the same front as Donald, Suh and Michael Brockers. That’s a terrifying thing to think about.

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